15-9 The Power of Partnership: Leveraging the Cooperative Extension System through the 4-H Youth Development Program to Enhance Geoscience Outreach and Impact

Session: Geoscience Outreach Efforts to Broaden Participation, Part I

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Building effective geoscience outreach programs for youth requires more than just scientific expertise. It demands a robust infrastructure to ensure safety, accessibility, and long-term engagement. Partnering with your state’s Cooperative Extension program, specifically through the 4-H Youth Development program, offers a powerful solution to expand impact while managing the complexities associated with youth programming.

As the nation’s largest youth development organization, 4-H brings unparalleled experience in positive youth development, volunteer coordination, and risk management. These existing systems allow geoscientists to focus on content delivery while ensuring compliance with legal and ethical responsibilities. By collaborating with the 4-H Youth Development Program, geoscience educators and professionals gain access to a built-in audience, trained volunteers, and a proven delivery network that spans rural and urban communities alike.

This presentation will explore case examples and practical models of collaboration between geoscientists and 4-H programs, highlighting successes in informal education, STEM camps, school enrichment. We will discuss how Extension’s statewide reach, coupled with 4-H’s trusted brand and youth development framework, enhances both the depth and breadth of outreach efforts. These partnerships are particularly valuable in reaching new audiences and fostering long-term engagement in science.

Ultimately, partnering with your state’s Cooperative Extension System through the 4-H Youth Development program is not just a logistical solution, it’s a strategic advantage. By leveraging 4-H's expertise in youth engagement and safety, geoscientists can create more impactful, sustainable, and inclusive educational experiences that inspire the next generation of Earth scientists.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Program. Vol. 57, No. 6, 2025

doi: 10.1130/abs/2025AM-11124

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